Staple formed over the wire wound closure procedure

ABSTRACT

An anvil assembly is provided and includes an anvil member having a plurality of staple bending pockets formed in a face of the anvil member and a length of reinforcing material suspended across the staple bending pockets. Longitudinal channels are provided in the face of the anvil member to releasably retain the reinforcing material. The longitudinal channels transect the staple bending pockets and support and suspend the reinforcing material over the staple bending pockets such that a leg of a surgical staple can be bent around the reinforcing material. Various configurations of fully formed staples are also disclosed and include a backspan having first and second legs extending from the backspan. First portions of each of the first and legs extend from the backspan and define a plane with the backspan. Second portions of each of the first and second legs extend from the first portions and project outwardly from the plane defined by the backspan and the first second portions.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a surgical instrument and method of forming a staple over a structural component to clamp tissue during a wound closure procedure. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an anvil assembly incorporating a clamping wire and staple pockets configured to form tissue penetrating ends of a staple about the clamping wire to secure tissues during a wound closure procedure.

2. Background of Related Art

Surgical stapling devices are employed by surgeons to sequentially or simultaneously apply one or more rows of fasteners, e.g., staples or two-part fasteners, to body tissue for the purpose of joining segments of body tissue together. Such devices generally consist of a pair of jaws or finger-like structures between which the body tissue to be joined is placed. When the stapling device is actuated, or “fired”, longitudinally moving firing bars contact staple drive members in one of the jaws. The staple drive members push the surgical staples through the body tissue and into an anvil in the opposite jaw which crimps the staples closed. If tissue is to be removed or separated, a knife blade can be provided in the jaws of the device to cut the tissue between the lines of staples.

When stapling relatively thin or fragile tissues, it is important to effectively seal the staple line against air or fluid leakage. Additionally, it is often necessary to reinforce the staple line against the tissue to prevent tears in the tissue or pulling of the staples through the tissue. One method of preventing tears or pull through involves the placement of a reinforcing or “buttress” material between the backspan of the staple and the underlying tissue. In this method, a layer of buttress material is placed against the tissue and the tissue is stapled in conventional manner. In more recent methods, the buttress material is positioned on the stapling instrument itself prior to stapling the tissue. An example of this is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,594 to McKean et al. In McKean et al. a tube of buttress material is slipped over the jaw of the stapler. The stapler is then actuated to staple the subject tissue and secure the buttress material between the tissue and staple line to reinforce the tissue and staple line.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a system of attaching localized reinforcing material to an anvil of a surgical stapling instrument. It would be further desirable to provide a system of attaching a limited amount of buttress material to either side of a knife groove formed in an anvil of a surgical stapling instrument such that the material is localized on either side of the staple line to avoid having to cut the reinforcing material. It would be still further desirable to provide an anvil having staple clinching pockets configured to bend tissue penetrating ends of a surgical staple over the reinforcing material and back into the tissues to further secure the reinforcing material to the tissues and without penetrating the reinforcing material.

SUMMARY

There is disclosed an anvil assembly, for use with a surgical stapling instrument, which generally includes an anvil member having a longitudinal axis and a first staple bending pocket and a second staple bending pocket. The anvil assembly additionally includes a length of reinforcing material extending across the first and second staple bending pockets. The width of the reinforcing material is less than the width of the first and second staple bending pockets such that the legs of a staple may be formed about the reinforcing material without penetrating it. Each of the first and second staple bending pockets are oval shaped and have a longitudinal axis formed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the anvil member.

In one embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the first and second staple bending pockets are parallel to each other. In another embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the first and second staple bending pockets are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the anvil member.

In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the first and second staple bending pockets converge toward the longitudinal axis of the anvil member. In a further alternative embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the first and second staple bending pockets diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the anvil member.

The anvil member further includes a longitudinal trough for receipt of the reinforcing material and extending across the first and second staple bending pockets. The longitudinal trough suspends the reinforcing member across the first and second staple bending pockets. The trough has an opening with a width less than the width of the reinforcing material to releasably retain the reinforcing material on the anvil member. In a specific embodiment, the reinforcing material is a wire.

There is also disclosed a fully formed surgical staple having a backspan having a longitudinal axis and a first leg extending from the backspan and a second leg extending from the backspan. Each of the first and second legs terminates in a tissue penetrating tip. The first leg includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis which defines a plane with the longitudinal axis of the backspan and a second portion which projects outward of the plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the backspan and the first portion. The second portion has a hooked shape to surround a reinforcing material. The second leg also includes a first portion extending from the backspan and lying within the plane and a second portion extending from the first portion and projecting outwardly of the plane.

In one embodiment, the second portion of the first leg and the second portion of the second leg are parallel to each other. In another embodiment, the second portion of the first leg and the second portion of the second leg are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the backspan.

In a further embodiment, the second portion of the first leg and the second portion of the second leg converge inwardly toward each other and are within the length of the backspan.

In a further alternative embodiment, the second portion of the first leg and the second portion of the second leg diverge away from each other and extend beyond the length of the backspan.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed anvil assemblies and surgical staples formed therewith are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument incorporating one embodiment of an anvil assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a series of surgical staples, formed about a reinforcing material or member, using the anvil assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an anvil assembly including an anvil and a reinforcing member;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an anvil face of the anvil of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the distal end of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 1 positioned about tissue sections;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating a series of surgical staples being driven through tissue and into the anvil;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9, illustrating a tissue penetrating end of one of the surgical staples formed about the reinforcing member;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pair of tissue sections secured together by a series of staples formed about a reinforcing member;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another series of surgical staples formed over a reinforcing member;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of an anvil used to form the staples of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further series of surgical staples formed over a reinforcing member;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a further alternative embodiment of an anvil used to form the staples of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of still another series of surgical staples formed over a reinforcing member;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of an anvil used to form the staples of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a further alternative embodiment of an anvil used to form multiple rows of surgical staples about reinforcing members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed anvil assemblies and surgical staples formed thereby will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is common in the art, the term “proximal” refers to that part or component closer to the user or operator, i.e. surgeon or physician, while the term “distal” refers to that part or component further away from the user.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated surgical stapling instrument 10 incorporating one embodiment of an anvil assembly 12. Surgical stapling instrument 10 generally includes a pistol grip style handle 14 having an elongate tubular member 16 extending distally from handle 14. An end effector 18 extends distally from a distal end 20 of elongate tubular member 16 and includes anvil assembly 12 and a staple cartridge 22. Anvil assembly 12 is movably mounted relative to staple cartridge 22. A trigger 24 is provided on handle 14 and is operable to move anvil assembly 12 from an open position spaced apart from staple cartridge 22 to a closed position bringing anvil assembly 12 into close cooperative alignment with staple cartridge 22. A rotation knob 26 is provided on handle 14 to rotate and orient end effector 18 relative to a tissue being operated upon.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is disclosed a series of surgical staples 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, etc. which have been formed over a reinforcing member or wire 30. Wire 30 is provided to ensure uniform clamping pressure along the length of a pair of tissue edges being stapled together. This is particularly advantageous where staples 28 a, 28 b, 28 c are formed of a relatively flexible material which may be insufficient to uniformly clamp the tissues by themselves. The disclosed staples 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, etc. and reinforcing member or wire 30 may be formed from a variety of materials. These materials may include metal materials such as, for example, stainless steel, titanium, etc. Alternatively, they may be formed from a variety of polymeric or absorbable materials. Staples 28, 28 b and 28 c are shown in the fully formed state after having been driven into anvil assembly 12. The following discussion of the disclosed staples will be given with regard to staple 28 a.

Staple 28 a generally includes a backspan 32 having first and second legs 34 and 36 extending from backspan 32 and terminating in first and second tissue penetrating tips 38 and 40. First and second legs 34 and 36 include respective first portions 42 and 44 extending from backspan 32. Second portions 46 and 48 of first and second legs 34 and 36 extend from respective first portions 42 and 44 and terminate in tissue penetrating tips 38 and 40.

In the preformed state, first and second legs 34 and 36 are generally straight. For example, first portion 42 and second portion 46 of first leg 34 are straight and lie along a common axis y-y. However, in the fully formed state, the second portions of each leg, for example, second portion 46 of first leg 34 forms a bend or a hook which lies outside of a plane defined by axis y-y of first portion 42 and a longitudinal axis x-x of backspan 32.

Referring now to FIG. 3, anvil assembly 12 generally includes reinforcing member or wire 30 and an anvil member 50 having an anvil face 52. Anvil member 50 includes a knife slot 54 extending substantially the length of the anvil member 50. Knife slot 54 is provided to sever tissues captured between anvil assembly 12 and staple cartridge 22. Rows of staple bending pockets 56 and 58 extend lengthways along anvil face 52 and on either side of knife slot 54. Rows of staple bending pockets 56 and 58 are provided to form the second portions of each leg of the disclosed staples into their bent or hooked shape as described in more detail hereinbelow.

In order to temporarily support a reinforcing member such as, for example, wire 30, on anvil face 52, a pair of longitudinal troughs or channels 60 and 62 extend longitudinally along anvil face 52 and extend across rows of staple bending pockets 56 and 58.

Referring now to FIG. 4, rows of staple bending pockets 56 and 58 each include pairs of staple bending pockets 64 and 66 respectively, for forming the legs of the disclosed staples about tissue. For example, pair of staple bending pockets 64 includes a first, generally oval staple bending pocket 68 and a second, generally oval staple bending pocket 70. As noted hereinabove, second portions 46 and 48 of staple 28 a are formed into a bent or hooked configuration substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis x-x of backspan 32. In order to obtain this perpendicular orientation, anvil member 50 includes a longitudinal axis A-A and staple bending pockets 68 and 70 are oriented perpendicular to longitudinal axis A-A. Specifically, longitudinal axis B-B of oval staple bending pocket 68 is perpendicular to longitudinal axis A-A of anvil member 50.

Referring for the moment to FIGS. 5 and 6, as noted hereinabove, trough or channel 60 is provided to support wire 30 along anvil face 52 of anvil member 50 and over the rows of staple bending pockets. As best shown in FIG. 5, where wire 30 passes over a staple bending pocket such as, staple bending pocket 68, it is supported within trough 60 a sufficient height h to allow the second portion of the disclosed surgical staples to pass beneath wire 30 and allow it to be bent within staple bending pocket 68.

Referring now to FIG. 6, and as noted hereinabove, wire 30 is temporarily supported along anvil face 52 within trough 60. In order to prevent inadvertent or premature release of wire 30 from anvil member 50, trough 60 is formed with an opening 72 which is slightly less than the width of wire 30 in order to temporarily pinch or retain wire 30 within trough 60.

It should be noted that the reinforcing member can comprise a wire, suture, strand of material, strip of material, or tab of material. The reinforcing member is in certain preferred embodiments less in width than the width of the staple bending pockets. The reinforcing member can extend in length across more than one staple bending pocket.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, the use of anvil assembly 12, including reinforcing wire 30, and a disclosed staple such as, for example, staple 28 a to secure a pair of tissue sections together will now be described. As noted hereinabove, surgical stapling instrument 10 includes an end effector 18 extending distally from a distal end 20 of elongate member 16 which includes anvil assembly 12 and staple cartridge 22. The anvil assembly 12, discussed above with regard to FIGS. 2 through 6, and the staple cartridge 22 are movable relative to one another so that tissue can be clamped therebetween. As best shown in FIG. 7, anvil member 50 includes a pair of proximal staple bending pockets 74 and 76 which are identical to staple bending pockets 68 and 70 described hereinabove. Staple cartridge 22 generally includes a body portion 78 having a plurality of staple holding pockets such as, for example, staple holding pockets 80, 82, 84 etc. which are provided to retain surgical staples 28 a, 28 b, 28 c etc. Pushers 86, 88, 90 etc. are provided within staple holding pockets 80, 82 and 84, respectively, to support the surgical staples contained therein. A handle is at the proximal end of the elongate member 16. A drive bar 91 (FIG. 9) is operatively associated with trigger 24 on surgical stapling instrument 10 (FIG. 1) for translating the drive bar 91 through the staple cartridge. A sled 92 is positioned adjacent the drive bar 91. Drive bar 91 and sled 92 are provided to drive the disclosed surgical staples such as, surgical staple 28 a out of staple pocket 80 and toward staple bending pockets 74 and 76 in anvil member 50. In certain embodiments, the sled has ramped or wedge-shaped surfaces for interacting with staple pushers. As the drive bar is translated through the staple cartridge, the sled is translated in the same direction, pushing the staple pushers, and the staple pushers drive the staples out of the body portion 78 against the anvil member. The sled and pushers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,256 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,361, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, can be used.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, in the initial position, the longitudinal axes of the legs of these disclosed surgical staples are offset relative to wire 30 which is suspended through the staple bending pockets. Specifically, for example, longitudinal axis y-y of first leg 34 of staple 28 a is offset relative to the center of staple bending pocket 74 (FIG. 8). This allows first leg 34 to enter staple bending pocket 74 and pass around wire 30 during formation. While only staple bending pocket 74 is illustrated as being offset relative to first leg 34, it should be understood that all the staple bending pockets in anvil member 50 are offset relative to the staple legs to be formed therein so as to allow all staple legs to enter the staple bending pockets and pass around wire 30.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, initially anvil member 50 is moved to the closed position relative to staple cartridge 22 by a clamping bar 94 to thereby capture a pair of tissue sections such as, for example, for tissue section A and tissue section B between anvil face 52 of anvil member 50 and in the cartridge face 96 of staple cartridge 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, once anvil member 50 has been moved to the closed position relative to staple cartridge 22, trigger 24 of surgical stapling instrument 10 (FIG. 1) is activated to drive drive bar 92 distally within staple cartridge 22. As drive bar 92 moves distally, drive bar 92 engages and moves pusher 86 upwardly within staple holding pocket 80 to thereby drive first and second legs 34 and 36 into staple bending pockets 74 and 76.

With specific reference to FIG. 10, as the legs are driven toward their respective staple bending pockets such as, for example, as second leg 36 is driven toward staple bending pocket 74, tissue penetrating tip 40 passes into staple bending pocket 74 and around wire 30 to thereby form second portion 48 of second leg 36 into a bent or hooked configuration about wire 30. This unique method of forming a leg of the surgical staple allows the additional material of second section 48, proximal to tissue penetrating tip 40, to again penetrate into tissue section A to further secure surgical staple 28 a through tissue sections A and B.

As best shown in FIG. 11, tissue sections A and B are secured together by surgical staples 28 a, 28 b, 28 c, etc. and the clamping of tissue sections A and B is further reinforced by the presence of wire 30 secured to the surface of tissue section A by the bent respective surgical staples. It should be further noted, in this particular configuration, the bent or hooked portions such as, for example, second portion 48 of surgical staple 28 a faces away from the cut edges Ac and Bc formed by a knife blade (not shown) passing through knife slot 54 in anvil member 50.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is disclosed another embodiment of a reinforcing member or wire 98 having a plurality of surgical staples 100, 102 and 104 formed about wire 98. Surgical staple 100, in the formed condition, is identical to surgical staples 102 and 104 in their formed conditions and generally includes a backspan 106 having a first leg 108 and a second leg 110 extending from backspan 16. First and second legs 108 and 110 terminate in respective tissue penetrating tips 112 and 114. First leg 108 includes a first portion 116 and second leg 110 includes a first portion 118. First leg 108 includes a second portion 120 and second leg 110 includes a second portion 122.

As shown, backspan 106 has a longitudinal axis x-x and first portion 116 of first leg 108 has a longitudinal axis y-y which is perpendicular to longitudinal axis x-x of backspan 106 to define a plane. First portion 118 of second leg 110 is also perpendicular to backspan 106 and lies within the same plane. As shown, second portions 120 and 122 of first leg 108 and second leg 110, respectively, extend outwardly from the plane defined by backspan 106 and first portions 116 and 118. In this particular embodiment, second portions 120 and 122 angle inwardly toward backspan 106 and are formed within length L1 of backspan 106.

Referring now to FIG. 13, in order to form surgical staple 100 into the disclosed configuration, there is provided an alternative embodiment of an anvil member 124 having an anvil face 126. The anvil member 124 forms part of a surgical stapling instrument, as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 7 through 10. Anvil member 124 includes a knife slot 128 and rows of staple bending pockets 130 and 132 formed in anvil face on either side of knife slot 128. Similar to anvil member 50 described hereinabove, anvil member 124 includes a pair of channels 134 and 136 extending across anvil face 126 and across rows of staple bending pockets 130 and 132. Channels 134 and 136 are provided to retain a reinforcing member or wire 98 in a manner substantially described hereinabove with regard to wire 30.

In order to form second portions 120 and 122 into their respective bent configurations directed inwardly towards backspan 106, row of staple bending pockets 130 includes a first staple bending pocket 138 and a second staple bending pocket 140. As shown, first staple bending pocket 138 has an axis C-C and second staple bending pocket 140 has an axis D-D both of which are oriented at an angle which converges toward knife slot 128 and is at an angle other than 90° with respect to longitudinal axis E-E of anvil member 124. It should be noted that, unlike the previous embodiment, staple bending pockets 138 and 140 angle inwardly toward knife slot 128 such that, upon formation, bent second portions 120 and 122 of surgical staple 100 angle inwardly and face edges of tissue cut by a knife blade (not shown) passing through knife slot 128.

With reference to FIG. 14, there is disclosed another embodiment of a reinforcing member or wire 142 having a plurality of staples 144, 146 and 148 formed about wire 142. As with prior series of staples, surgical staple 144, in the formed condition, is identical to surgical staples 146 and 148 and generally includes a backspan 150 having a first leg 152 and a second leg 154 extending from backspan 150 and terminating in respective tissue penetrating tips 156 and 158. First leg 152 includes a first portion 160 and second leg 154 includes a first portion 162. Similar to prior embodiments, first leg 152 includes a second portion 164 and second leg 154 includes a second portion 166.

Backspan 150 has a longitudinal axis x-x and first portion 160 of first leg 152 has a longitudinal axis y-y which is perpendicular to longitudinal axis x-x of backspan 150 to define a plane. First portion 162 of second leg 154 is also perpendicular to backspan 150 and lies within the plane. As shown, second portions 164 and 166 of first leg 152 and second leg 154, respectively, extend outward of the plane defined by backspan 150 and first portions 160 and 162. In this particular embodiment, second portions 164 and 166 are parallel to each other and form an angle other than 90° with respect to longitudinal axis x-x of backspan 150.

Referring to FIG. 15, in order to form surgical staple 144 into the disclosed configuration, there's provided a further alternative embodiment of an anvil member 168 having an anvil face 170. The anvil member 168 forms part of a surgical stapling instrument, as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 7 through 10. Anvil member 168 includes a knife slot 172 extending substantially the length of anvil member 168 and rows of staple bending pockets 174 and 176 formed on either side of knife slot 172. Anvil member 168 additionally includes channels 178 and 180 extending across anvil face 170 and across rows of staple bending pockets 174 and 176 to temporarily secure wire 142 in a manner described hereinabove with regard to wire 30.

In order to form second portions 164 and 162 into their angled and parallel bent configurations with respect to backspan 150, row of staple bending pockets 174 includes a first staple bending pocket 182 and a second staple bending pocket 184. First staple bending pocket 182 has a longitudinal axis F-F which is parallel to a longitudinal axis G-G of second staple bending pocket 184. Both first and second staple bending pockets 182 and 184 form an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis H-H of anvil member 168.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is disclosed a further embodiment of a reinforcing member or wire 186 having surgical staples 188, 190 and 192 formed about reinforcing wire 186. Surgical staple 188 is identical to surgical staples 190 and 192 and generally includes a backspan 194 having a first leg 196 and a second leg 198 extending from backspan 194. Tissue penetrating tips 200 and 202 are formed on first and second legs 196 and 198, respectively. First and second legs 196 and 198 include respective first portions 204 and 206 and respective second portions 208 and 210. First portion 204 of first leg 196 has a longitudinal axis y-y which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis x-x of backspan 194 and defines a plane there between. As with previous embodiments, in the formed condition, second portions 208 and 210 extend beyond the plane defined by first portion 204 and backspan 194.

In this particular embodiment, second portions 208 and 210 are angled or splayed outwardly relative to backspan 194 such that they extend beyond a length L2 of backspan 194.

In order to form surgical staples 188, 190 and 192 into their disclosed configurations, there is provided an anvil member 212 (FIG. 17) having an anvil face 214. The anvil member 212 forms part of a surgical stapling instrument, as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 7 through 10. Anvil member 212 includes a longitudinally extending knife slot 216 and rows of staple bending pockets 218 and 220 formed in anvil face 214 on either side of knife slot 216. A pair of channels 222 and 224 is provided across anvil face 214 and through rows of staple bending pockets 218 and 220 to hold wire 186.

Row of staple bending pockets 218 includes a first staple bending pocket 226 and a second staple bending pocket 228. First staple bending pocket 226 has a longitudinal axis I-I and second staple bending pocket 228 has a longitudinal axis J-J both of which are oriented at an angle which converges away from knife slot 216 and is at an angle other than 90° with respect to a longitudinal axis K-K of anvil member 212.

With reference to FIG. 18, there is disclosed a further alternative embodiment of an anvil member 230 suitable for use in forming the disclosed surgical staples about reinforcing member or wire. The anvil member 230 forms part of a surgical stapling instrument, as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 7 through 10. Anvil member 230 includes an anvil face 232 having a knife slot 234 extending longitudinally through anvil member 230. Rows of staple bending pockets 236, 238, 240 and 242 are provided alongside knife slot 234. As with the prior anvil embodiments, longitudinally extending channels 244, 246, 248 and 250 extend through rows of staple bending pockets 236, 238, 240 and 242 to removably support lengths of reinforcing member across the staple pockets such as, for example, staple pockets 252 and 254. It should be noted that in this, as well as in prior, alternative embodiments of the disclosed anvil members, staple pockets 252 and 254 may assume any of the configurations and orientations previously disclosed. For example, all the staple pockets 252 and 254 in anvil member 230 may be oriented in the same or in differing directions.

It is contemplated that the fastener assembly having one or more reinforcing members and staples as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 2 through 6 and 11 through 18 can be used in surgical stapling instruments that have circular or arcuate anvils, and/or surgical stapling instruments in which the staples are driven against the anvil in the same direction as the anvil (or cartridge) moves to clamp tissue.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the disclosed staple bending pockets may assume shapes other than oval such as, for example, circular, FIG. 8, etc. Further, as noted hereinabove, the disclosed reinforcing members may include materials other than wire such as for example thin strips of webbing material, flat ribbons of metallic or polymeric materials, etc. so long as the links of reinforcing material do not completely occlude the disclosed staple bending pockets. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

1. An anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument comprising; an anvil member having a longitudinal axis and a first staple bending pocket and a second staple bending pocket; and a length of reinforcing member extending across the first and second staple bending pockets, wherein the width of the reinforcing member is less than the width of the first and second staple bending pockets.
 2. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second staple bending pockets are oval shaped and have a longitudinal axis formed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the anvil member.
 3. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axes of the first and second staple bending pockets are parallel to each other.
 4. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axes of the first and second staple bending pockets are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the anvil member.
 5. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axes of the first and second staple bending pockets converge toward the longitudinal axis of the anvil member.
 6. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axes of the first and second staple bending pockets diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the anvil member.
 7. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the anvil member includes a longitudinal trough for receipt of the reinforcing member and extending across the first and second staple bending pockets.
 8. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the trough has an opening with a width less than the width of the reinforcing member.
 9. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the longitudinal trough suspends the reinforcing member across the first and second staple bending pockets.
 10. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising: an elongate member; a handle assembly at a proximal end of the elongate member; and an end effector at a distal end of the elongate member, the end effector including: an anvil assembly including: an anvil member having a longitudinal axis and a first staple bending pocket and a second staple bending pocket; and a length of reinforcing member extending across the first and second staple bending pockets, wherein the width of the reinforcing member is less than the width of the first and second staple bending pockets; and a staple cartridge, the anvil assembly and staple cartridge being movable relative to one another.
 11. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein the anvil member includes a longitudinal trough for receipt of the reinforcing member.
 12. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 11 wherein the longitudinal trough extends across the first and second staple bending pockets.
 13. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 11, wherein the trough has an opening with a width less than the width of the reinforcing member.
 14. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 11, wherein the longitudinal trough suspends the reinforcing member across the first and second staple bending pockets.
 15. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein the staple cartridge has a body portion with a plurality of staple holding pockets.
 16. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 15, wherein the staple holding pockets each contain a staple.
 17. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 15, wherein the staple cartridge has a sled.
 18. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 10, further comprising a drive bar operatively associated with the handle assembly.
 19. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 18, wherein the handle assembly includes a trigger.
 20. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein the reinforcing member is selected from the group consisting of a wire, suture, or strip of material.
 21. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein the length of reinforcing member extends across more than two staple bending pockets.
 22. The surgical stapling instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein the anvil member is selected from the group consisting of a circular anvil member and an arcuate anvil member. 